Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk could play their home Champions League fixtures in England next season after launching exploratory talks with a Premier League club. The ongoing conflict in their homeland has forced the displaced side to evaluate alternative European venues, with London emerging as a strong potential destination.
Senegal international Ismaila Sarr has written his name into the history books by scoring the fastest Conference League goal ever. The Crystal Palace forward needed mere seconds to break the deadlock during his side's semi-final first-leg encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Arda Turan has heaped praise on AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit, labelling the midfielder a "special" talent destined for the very top of the game. Despite his side securing a 3-0 victory in the Conference League quarter-finals, the Turkish manager was left awestruck by the youngster's ability to dictate the tempo of the match against his team.